Welcome

This is a blog of the books I read. I'm trying to encourage myself to get better about writing reviews of books. You'll see the books I've read and my statistics for the year!

When I first graduated from college (many years ago), I said I didn't have time to read anything that wasn't related to my career. Thank goodness I finally outgrew that. I almost exclusively read ebooks these days!

About Me

Sunday, July 28, 2013

I needed to read a Jude Deveraux book for a Goodreads challenge. The paranormal aspects of the book were a bit strange and maybe a bit contrived. Although, Caleb was one of my favorite characters. This is one of those books where you read (and read and read...it is 466 pages) and as you are doing it you are wondering when it is going to end. But once you are at the end...you wonder what is next for the characters.

Favorite line in the book: "I encourage you to expand your horizons. That doesn’t count as bossing." Wonder if the kids would accept that argument.

I needed to read a Jude Deveraux book for a Goodreads challenge. The paranormal aspects of the book were a bit strange and maybe a bit contrived. Although, Jared was one of my favorite characters. This is one of those books where you read (and read and read...it is 466 pages) and as you are doing it you are wondering when it is going to end. But once you are at the end...you wonder what is next for the characters.

Favorite line in the book: "I encourage you to expand your horizons. That doesn’t count as bossing." Wonder if the kids would accept that argument.

I can't say enough positive things about Force's Gansett Island and the characters who live there. While personally I can't imagine living on a small island where everyone knows your business, I love this series.

Time For Love pulls from many of the previous stories. I suggest reading the earlier books in the series before reading this one.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

I somehow missed the first book in Cross's Titanium Security romantic suspense series. Just like in the Bagram Special Ops series, the characters are entertaining and real; the story is multidimensional and engaging; and there is plenty of action.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Informed Risk by Robyn CarrI always enjoy Carr's books. Embedded in this story is a glimpse of how close any of us are to being homeless. "The press indicated the homeless situation was getting worse every year. The reported living conditions were terrifying. Hopeless and vile. The one common link among these people seemed to be aloneness, lack of family." And I think it is easy to see how giving a little can make differences for others.

I'm not sure this is an "easy" read but it is definitely worth it.

A Hero for Sophie Jones by Christine RimmerI haven't read any Rimmer's Jones books and Sophie's story didn't have me rushing out to read them. Oggie was my favorite character in the book which probably explains it. I just couldn't find myself caring all that much about Sophie or Sinclair. And "Sin" just seems like a ridicules name.

Although I was looking forward to Ric's story, this was my least favorite of the series. I think it was because I had different expectations for the book. This book appears to be trying to bridge between the characters in the first three books and the new Secret series which I assume will continue the story of the Derby family. Characters are important to me and are largely a factor in how well I enjoy a book. I'm looking forward to seeing where the Secret series goes.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

The good news is that I’ve finally found a way to write book reviews. Thanks to highlighting and notes on my Kindle, I’m writing a lot more reviews now. (Yes, I know…those features have been there for a long time…I’m just now taking true advantage of them.)

2013 Goodreads Featured Author ChallengeI’m afraid I dropped out of this challenge. I just couldn’t get into the authors that were being selected. Most were paranormal/urban fantasy/sci fi authors which is just not my thing.

2013 Climb the Stair ChallengeI just added this one that runs from July 15 to December 15. Each level coincides with the number of books that must be read to complete the level. Each participant gets to assign the category they will use to complete the level.

Favorite quote: "she only regretted the time wasted, what was left unsaid. Undone. That if she’d learned something from what had happened, it was that you needed to live life to the fullest. Every day. Balls to the wall. Afraid of nothing. Much less of possible pain to come. Giving yourself unconditionally."

Not everything that is free is worth the time. I found the dialogue in this book to be so annoying that it overshadowed what I thought could be an interesting story. Bea is so negative about everything and Daniel needed to learn her name and stop calling her "baby."

Oddly enough, I want to read Tilly and Luke's story in Sexy Summers. I'm just afraid it will be more of the same dialogue.

A great beach or lazy summer day read. Includes the stories HOPE SMOLDERS by JACI BURTON; PERFECT STRANGER A Serendipity Novella by CARLY PHLLIPS; THE LEGEND OF JANE by JESSICA CLARE; and ICE PRINCESS by ERIN McCARTHY.

I always enjoy a Serendipity story so I was thrilled to find a Carly Phillip's story in this anthology. Having learned to ski as an adult, I found ICE PRINCESS hysterical. It also contained by favorite line of the book: "wondered, not for the first time, how exactly Snow White had managed to live with seven men without murdering at least one of them." I also enjoyed HOPE SMOLDERS and the quirkiness of THE LEGEND OF JANE.

Picked this up because I saw TheBookVixen was reading it and it looked interesting. I wasn't disappointed. This is a ragtag group of characters that I am looking forward to seeing development. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

This was probably my least favorite of the The Marshals of Maverick County series. I keep reading because I really want to find out what happened. But this one left me we a hanging question that left a gap in the story that is annoying. Like anyone reading the book would think any of the Marshals would forget about someone.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

I hate when books are released under a different name. Turns out this anthology is a mix from other anthologies ([b:Beach Blanket Bad Boys|39913|Beach Blanket Bad Boys|Linda Lael Miller|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347447727s/39913.jpg|39615])....which I had already read.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

I picked this book to read because of a Goodreads challenge. I had a hard time getting into this book. I found both Darcy and Griffin to be passive-aggressive. The whole story seemed a little ridicules...James Bond-esque set in a nursery that depends on tourist traffic. Most nurseries I know depend on locals to purchase plants for their yards and gardens...I've never purchased something at a nursery while on vacation. I don't even think I've visited one on vacation. Darcy and Griffin go from not really communicating at all to everything being neatly resolved. The story has some gaps that just don't fit.

This book branches away from the original Sullivan clan to the cousins. We all made stupid mistakes as teenagers and Andre kept me waiting a long time to find out what Brooke's "stupid mistake" was. Fortunately, my guesses were all wrong. Looking forward to reading more about the Sullivan cousins.

I love all of the Sullivans! In Lori's case, I love the depth of character that she has. Willing t do what it takes to put her life back together including working as a farm hand. And what a farmer she finds. And she helps Grayson put his life back together as well.

While the series doesn't need to be read it order, I think that it helps see the character development that Andre uses throughout the series.

Favorite Quote: "His heart broke as he finally lost the furry friend who had been with him every step of the way" - my heart breaks every time I lose a furry friend.

I love Fool's Gold and Susan Mallery's writing. I always find myself highlighting passages from her books that convey lessons we should all learn. I'm so glad that we finally got to Gideon's story.Favorite Passage: "You need to learn to accept your flaws and forgive yourself."

This is the second book in Carr's Thunder Point series and it isn't your standard series. The lives of the people mix and carry over throughout the series making it one that definitely needs to be read in order. Once you start, you will be caught up in the lives of the Thunder Point community and will keep coming back for more.

The local geeky girl who was humiliated in high school returns home to do good and gets her high school crush. I'm not in love with this series but I do keep coming back for more. While I love the main characters in the story, I'm not that enthralled with the supporting characters.

I am a big fan of Banks KGI series. I struggled getting into this Forged in Steele and I'm not sure why. I think it was the gushy language that distracted me from entertaining characters and storyline. Maybe Banks intended that to highlight the changes in Steele but it missed the mark for me. Still, I am looking forward to the next installment and hope that there will soon be a story about Hancock.

The Last Chance Ranch is definitely a place that changes lives for the better. Set outside Jackson Hole Wyoming, Thompson delivers entertaining characters in a beautiful setting. No need to read the series in order, but anticipate going back to read the earlier stories. And you will be looking forward to the next installment at Last Chance Ranch just like me.